Power saving circuit for wireless pointer

ABSTRACT

A power saving device for wireless pointer comprises a first resistor, a second capacitor, a signal generation circuit, and a bias control circuit comprising an n-type channel MOSFET having a drain connected to the signal generation circuit at a second node for driving the signal generation circuit, a switch having one end connected to a gate of the n-type channel MOSFET at a first node, a semiconductor means having an anode connected to the gate of the n-type channel MOSFET at the first node and a cathode connected to the positive terminal of the power source, and a first capacitor in series connection with the semiconductor means. When wireless pointer is inoperative then the switch will open automatically to cause the leakage current of the reverse biased semiconductor means to charge first capacitor. Also, once switch is operable to close to cause first capacitor to discharge completely so as to cut off the n-type channel MOSFET. The charging and discharging decrease the current consumption of the wireless pointer in standby decreased to a minimum.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to power saving circuits and more particularly to an improved circuit for further saving power of a wireless pointer in a standby state.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Recently, electrical devices having power saving feature are very attractive to consumers. Typically, such device is automatically changed to a power saving mode when it is inoperative for a predetermined period of time. A conventional design for effecting the power saving feature is shown in FIG. 1. A relay or metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) 12 is enabled to cut off power 11 under the control of control 14 when a main electrical element 13 is inoperative for a predetermined period of time. When an activation signal is detected by control 14, the relay or MOSFET 12 is again enabled to connect power 11 to the main electrical element 13. In brief, the on/off of the main electrical element 13 is controlled by the control 14. However, power is continuously consumed in the control 14 irrespective of the on or off state of the main electrical element 13. Further, the design of the circuitry is complex. Furthermore, the on/off of the main electrical element 13 is not normal when the operating voltage is low. Thus improvements exist.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a power saving device mounted in a wireless pointer powered by a source. The power saving device comprises a bias control circuit, a first resistor, a second capacitor, and a signal generation circuit comprising an NPN transistor, a third capacitor, an inductor, a second resistor, a third resistor, a fourth capacitor and a fifth capacitor. Collector of NPN transistor is connected to the positive terminal of source through third capacitor, while emitter is connected to one end of second resistor. The other end of second resistor is connected to ground. Bias control circuit comprises a switch, a semiconductor means, a first capacitor, and an n-type channel MOSFET. One end of switch is connected to gate of n-type channel MOSFET at a first node, while the other end is connected to ground. Cathode of semiconductor means is connected to the positive terminal of source, while anode is in series connection with first capacitor at first node. First capacitor is parallel connected to switch between first node and ground. Drain of n-type channel MOSFET is connected to base of NPN transistor of signal generation circuit. One end of first resistor is connected to the positive terminal of source, while the other end is in series connection with second capacitor at second node. The other end of second capacitor is connected to ground. When wireless pointer is inoperative for a predetermined period of time, switch is automatically open to cause the leakage current of the reverse biased semiconductor means to charge first capacitor. Also, once switch is operable to close to cause first capacitor to discharge completely so as to cut off the n-type channel MOSFET. The charging and discharging decrease the current consumption of the wireless pointer in standby decreased to a minimum.

[0004] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional power saving circuit;

[0006]FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a power saving circuit according to the invention; and

[0007]FIG. 3 shows waveshapes of various points in the FIG. 2 circuit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a power saving circuit of the invention incorporated in a wireless pointer (not shown). The power saving circuit is powered by a source 30 and comprises a bias control circuit 21, a first resistor (R2) 22, a second capacitor (C2) 23, and a signal generation circuit 24. Each of above constituent components will now be described.

[0009] Bias control circuit 21 comprises a switch (S1) 211, a semiconductor device 212, a first capacitor (C1) 213, and an n-type channel MOSFET (Q1) 214. Semiconductor device 212 is implemented as a PN diode (as shown), a resistor, or any other high impedance low current device (e.g., constant current source or high leakage capacitor). One end of switch (S1) 211 is connected to gate of MOSFET (Q1) 214 at a first node 215, while the other end is connected to the negative terminal of source 30 (i.e., ground). Cathode of semiconductor device 212 is connected to the positive terminal of source 30, while anode is in series connection with first capacitor 213 at first node 215. First capacitor (C1) 213 is parallel connected to switch (S1) 211 between first node 215 and ground. In the embodiment, semiconductor device 212 is reverse biased. Drain of n-type channel MOSFET (Q1) 214 is connected to base of NPN transistor (Q2) 241 of signal generation circuit 24. One end of first resistor 22 is connected to the positive terminal of source 30, while the other end is in series connection with second capacitor 23 at second node 221. The other end of second capacitor 23 is connected to the negative terminal of source 30 (i.e., ground).

[0010] The signal generation circuit 24 comprises an NPN transistor 241, a third capacitor (C3) 242, an inductor (L) 244, a second resistor (R4) 243, a third resistor (R5) 245, a fourth capacitor (C4) 246, and a fifth capacitor (C5) 247. Collector of NPN transistor 241 is connected to the positive terminal of source 30 through third capacitor (C3) 242, while emitter is connected to one end of second resistor 243. The other end of second resistor 243 is connected to the negative terminal of source 30 (i.e., ground).

[0011] Referring to FIG. 3 in conjunction with FIG. 2, the operation of the power saving circuit of the invention is detailed below. For the activation of wireless pointer, user may close (i.e., enable) switch 211 to cause first capacitor 213 to discharge completely. Thus gate of n-type channel MOSFET (Q1) 214 is low, resulting in a cut-off of n-type channel MOSFET (Q1) 214. A normal bias is supplied from the positive terminal of source 30 through first resistor 22 to NPN transistor 241 of signal generation circuit 24 for enabling a normal operation therefor. The normally operated NPN transistor 241 of signal generation circuit 24 may transmit pointer signals so that a coordinate input device (not shown) may determine the coordinate location based on the pointer signals. Thus, the PN junction between base and collector of NPN transistor 241 is reverse biased, while the PN junction between base and emitter thereof is forward biased. When wireless pointer is inoperative then the switch 211 will open (i.e., disabled) automatically. Immediately the leakage current of the reverse biased semiconductor device 212 will charge first capacitor 213. When the voltage built up in first capacitor 213 has reached the gate conduction voltage (V_(t)) of n-type channel MOSFET (Q1) 214, the operating bias VB of NPN transistor 241 of signal generation circuit 24 will become lower than the normal operating bias, thus cutting off the NPN transistor 241. Accordingly, the PN junction between base and collector of NPN transistor 241 is no longer reverse biased, while the PN junction between base and emitter thereof is no longer forward biased either. As a result, the wireless pointer stops transmitting pointer signals. In this case, the operating bias V_(B) of NPN transistor 241 of signal generation circuit 24 may be defined as:

[0012] V₈=(Q1 conduction resistor (R_(DS))/(Q1 conduction resistor (R_(DS))+R2)) x v

[0013] Where Q1 conduction resistor R_(DS) is near 0, thus V_(B) is near 0. As an end, Q2 is cut off.

[0014] When wireless pointer stops transmitting pointer signals, the current I consumed in the power saving circuit is about equal to V/R2. Since R2 may be selected to be very large, thus I is relatively small. Hence, the purpose of power saving is achieved. The time t measured from the stop of wireless pointer to the cut-off of Q2 may be defined as:

t=−R ₁ C ₁ In(1−VtN)

[0015] Where R₁ is reverse resistor or any other high impedance low current element of semiconductor device 212. In a case that semiconductor device 212 is a constant current source, t is equal to C₁Vt/I. where I is the current of the constant current source.

[0016] While the invention has been described by means of specific embodiments, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention set forth in the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A power saving device mounted in a wireless pointer powered by a power source, said power saving device comprising: a first resistor; a second capacitor; a signal generation circuit; and a bias control circuit comprising an n-type channel metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) having a drain connected to said signal generation circuit at a second node for driving said signal generation circuit, a switch having one end connected to a gate of said n-type channel MOSFET at a first node, a semiconductor means having an anode connected to said gate of said n-type channel MOSFET at said first node and a cathode connected to said positive terminal of said power source, and a first capacitor in series connection with said semiconductor means.
 2. The power saving device of claim 1 wherein said semiconductor means is a high impedance low current element.
 3. The power saving device of claim 1, wherein said semiconductor means is a PN diode.
 4. The power saving device of claim 1, wherein said semiconductor means is a constant current element.
 5. The power saving device of claim 1, wherein said semiconductor means is a high leakage capacitor. 